Adjustable photocontrol mounting assembly
An assembly for connecting and holding a photocontrol with respect to a light fixture. The assembly includes a support member and a photocontrol receptacle over and secured with respect to the support member. The support member is on an exterior surface of a light-fixture housing at an opening formed in the housing. The photocontrol receptacle is rotatable about the support member for angular photocontrol adjustment on the light fixture. The support member is fixed with respect to the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing. The receptacle has an engagement portion rotatably engaging the support member, thereby holding the receptacle with respect to the light-fixture housing while permitting rotation of the receptacle with respect thereto. Another aspect is a related method for connecting and holding a photocontrol with respect to a light fixture.
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This invention relates generally to apparatus for connecting and holding photocontrols with respect to light fixtures, and to angular adjustment thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the field of lighting, light fixtures are needed in many different settings, including high fixture positions for the most efficient use of light. Light fixtures for roadways, parking lots and other large outdoor areas typically use plug twist-lock photoelectric controllers (referred to herein as “photocontrols”) to automatically switch light fixtures on at dusk and off at dawn. These devices sense the intensity of the ambient light and switch the fixtures on and off accordingly. For best performance, photocontrols need to be oriented such that the cell faces in the direction of north in the northern hemisphere and south in the southern hemisphere, away from direct sunlight. It is desirable that photocell receptacles permit adjustment to the desired orientation.
For most uniformity throughout the lighting industry, electrical receptacles for receiving photoelectric controllers are mostly made according to specific requirements approved by American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI). Such receptacles are typically mounted on the top of light-fixture housings and are electrically wired into the power supply for the light fixtures. A photoelectric controller is plugged into each receptacle to provide photoelectric control for the light fixture.
ANSI has recently approved a set of standards for making photocontrols and receptacles that are configured for up to four new conductors in addition to the three standard conductors. The new conductors provide electrical connections that accommodate additional control features such as dimming. As seen in FIG. 6 of ANSI C136.41-2013 standards, such new conductors may be in the form of conductive spring(s) on the photocontrol unit and corresponding conductive plate(s) on the receptacle.
After insertion in the receptacle, both types of photocontrols, i.e., the standard three-prong and the new five- or seven-prong photocontrols, should be orientated in the appropriate direction to optimize the operation of the photoelectric cell.
There have been several prior arrangements for mounting photocontrol receptacles to light fixtures and adjustment of the receptacle orientation to provide appropriate plugged-in photocontrol orientation.
In some prior arrangements, orientation adjustment is achieved by loosening screws that secure the receptacle to the light fixture, rotating the receptacle until an arrow or other indicia is aimed generally toward north, and then re-tightening the screws. Such operation requires certain disassembling of the receptacle and the challenge of not changing the desired receptacle orientation while re-tightening the screws.
Some other prior receptacles are resiliently attached to the light-fixture housing surface using a snap ring. In such arrangements, the orientation adjustment is achieved by lifting the receptacle to disengage it from the fixture housing and turning the receptacle to a desired orientation. However, lifting of the receptacle also disengages weather sealing that protect the fixture housing interior from the elements. This presents a difficulty of ensuring that the weather seal is functioning properly to prevent water from entering the housing.
Certain of the prior assemblies require significant room inside the fixture housing to accommodate mounting of the receptacle. Many recent LED light fixtures have considerably slimmer profiles than prior light fixtures that used non-LED light sources. Therefore, LED light fixtures have very limited room inside their housings.
Thus, there is a need for simple mounting assembly which takes minimal interior space and permits easy tool-less orientation while maintaining weather seals that prevent water from entering the light-fixture housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is an improvement in an assembly for connecting and holding a photocontrol with respect to a light fixture. The inventive assembly includes a support member and a photocontrol receptacle over and secured with respect to the support member. The support member is on an exterior surface of a light-fixture housing at an opening formed in the housing. The photocontrol receptacle is rotatable about the support member for angular photocontrol adjustment on the light fixture.
In certain embodiments, the support member has a peripheral region beyond the opening. In some of such embodiments, the receptacle has a body portion and an engagement portion extending from the body portion. The body portion supports photocontrol electrical connections. The engagement portion rotatably engages the support member, thereby holding the receptacle with respect to the light-fixture housing while permitting rotation of the receptacle with respect thereto.
The engagement portion may extend over and radially beyond the peripheral region of the support member.
The engagement portion may have a peripheral outer surface including gripping features thereon to facilitate manual rotation of the engagement portion of the receptacle about the peripheral region of the support member.
In some embodiments, the peripheral region of the support member includes a peripheral edge portion spaced from the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing. The engagement portion of the receptacle may be in snap-engagement with the peripheral edge portion.
In some of such embodiments, the peripheral edge portion of the support member is annular and unbroken and the engagement portion of the receptacle is annular and unbroken. In such embodiments, the engagement portion of the receptacle may have an inner surface defining a groove which receives the peripheral edge portion of the support member. The snap-engagement may be substantially water-tight.
The peripheral edge portion of the support member and the engagement portion of the receptacle may have interfering features configured and positioned to limit rotation of the receptacle with respect to the support structure beyond 360°.
In some embodiments, the support member and the engagement portion of the receptacle are configured for non-free rotation such that photocontrol is retained in a selected angular orientation with respect to the light fixture. The support member may include an upwardly projecting wall. In some of these versions, the receptacle has a downward-facing surface in frictional engagement with the upwardly projecting wall of the support member. In some of such embodiments, the upwardly projecting wall of the support member terminates with an upper toothed edge. The downward-facing surface of the receptacle may have a toothed surface portion engaging the toothed upper edge of the support member creating resistance to unintentional rotation of the receptacle with respect to the support member.
In certain embodiments, the support member is a separate piece fixedly attached to the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing. Such embodiments may include a seal between the support member and the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
In certain embodiments, the engagement portion of the receptacle is a separate piece secured to the body portion of the receptacle. In such embodiments, the receptacle may include a seal between the body and the engagement portion.
In some embodiments, the support member is a separate piece fixedly attached to the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing and the engagement portion of the receptacle is a separate piece secured to the body portion of the receptacle. In such embodiments, the receptacle may include a seal between the body and the engagement portion. Such embodiments may also include a seal between the support member and the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method for connecting and holding a photocontrol with respect to a light fixture. The inventive method includes the steps of providing a support member on an exterior surface of a light-fixture housing at an opening formed in the housing; positioning a photocontrol receptacle over the support member; securing the photocontrol receptacle with respect to the light-fixture housing; and rotating the secured receptacle about the support structure for angular photocontrol adjustment on the light fixture.
The method may include the further step of connecting a photocontrol to the receptacle such that the rotating step is after the connecting step.
In certain method embodiments, the support member has a peripheral region beyond the opening. In some of such embodiments, the receptacle has a body portion and an engagement portion extending from the body portion. The body portion supports photocontrol electrical connections. The engagement portion rotatably engages the support member, thereby holding the receptacle with respect to the light-fixture housing while permitting rotation of the receptacle with respect thereto.
In some embodiments, the support member is a separate piece from the light-fixture housing. In such method embodiments, the step of providing the support member includes the further step of fixedly attaching the support member to the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing. Such embodiments may also include the further step of sealing the attachment between the support member and the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
In some embodiments, the engagement and body portions of the receptacle are separate pieces. In such method embodiments, the step of positioning the photocontrol receptacle over the support member includes the further step of joining the body portion with the engagement portion of the receptacle.
It will be noted that the terms “over” and “under” are used in describing relative positions of certain elements of the assembly of this invention. Such terms are used with reference to part orientations in a manufacturing method used, and not necessarily with reference to gravity or to the position of a light fixture when installed for use.
In descriptions of the invention, including in the claims below, the terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” (each in their various forms) and the term “with” are each to be understood as being open-ended, rather than limiting, terms.
It is best seen in
In a first embodiment shown in
It is best seen in
In the illustrated embodiments, support member 20 is a separate piece fixedly attached to exterior surface 13 of light-fixture housing 12, as seen at least in
In the first embodiment illustrated in
In the second embodiment illustrated in
The inventive method may also include the further step of connecting photocontrol 11 to receptacle 30 such that the rotating step may be after the connecting step, as seen in
While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that such embodiments are by way of example and are not limiting.
Claims
1. An assembly for connecting and holding a photocontrol with respect to a light fixture, the assembly comprising:
- a support member on an exterior surface of a light-fixture housing at an opening into the housing; and
- a receptacle with slots for insertion of photocontrol conductors, the receptacle being secured with respect to the support member such that the support member is between a light-fixture exterior surface about the opening and the receptacle which is rotatable about the support member for angular photocontrol adjustment on the light fixture.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:
- the support member has a peripheral region beyond the opening; and
- the receptacle has (a) a body portion defining the slots and supporting electrical connections for the photocontrol and (b) an engagement portion extending from the body portion and rotatably engaging the support member, thereby holding the receptacle with respect to the light-fixture housing while permitting rotation of the receptacle with respect thereto.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the engagement portion extends over and radially beyond the peripheral region of the support member.
4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the engagement portion has a peripheral outer surface including gripping features thereon to facilitate manual rotation of the engagement portion of the receptacle about the peripheral region of the support member.
5. An assembly for connecting and holding a photocontrol with respect to a light fixture, the assembly comprising:
- a support member on an exterior surface of a light-fixture housing at an opening formed in the housing, the support member having a peripheral region beyond the opening, the peripheral region of the support member including a peripheral edge portion spaced from the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing; and
- a photocontrol receptacle over and secured with respect to the support member and rotatable thereabout for angular photocontrol adjustment on the light fixture, the receptacle having (a) a body portion supporting photocontrol electrical connections and (b) an engagement portion extending from the body portion and being in snap-engagement with the peripheral edge portion of the support member, thereby holding the receptacle with respect to the light-fixture housing while permitting rotation of the receptacle with respect thereto.
6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein:
- the peripheral edge portion of the support member is annular and unbroken; and
- the engagement portion of the receptacle is annular and unbroken.
7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the engagement portion of the receptacle has an inner surface defining a groove which receives the peripheral edge portion of the support member.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the snap-engagement is substantially water-tight.
9. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the peripheral edge portion of the support member and the engagement portion of the receptacle have interfering features configured and positioned to limit rotation of the receptacle with respect to the support structure beyond 360°.
10. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the support member and the engagement portion of the receptacle are configured for non-free rotation, thereby keeping the photocontrol in a selected angular orientation with respect to the light fixture.
11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein:
- the support member includes an upwardly projecting wall; and
- the receptacle has a downward-facing surface in frictional engagement with the upwardly projecting wall of the support member.
12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein:
- the upwardly projecting wall of the support member terminates with an upper toothed edge; and
- the downward-facing surface of the receptacle has a toothed surface portion engaging the toothed upper edge of the support member creating resistance to unintentional rotation of the receptacle with respect to the support member.
13. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the support member is a separate piece fixedly attached to the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
14. The assembly of claim 13 further including a seal between the support member and the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
15. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the engagement portion of the receptacle is a separate piece secured to the body portion of the receptacle.
16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the support member is a separate piece fixedly attached to the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
17. The assembly of claim 16 further including a seal between the support member and the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
18. A method for connecting and holding a photocontrol with respect to a light fixture, the method comprising:
- providing a support member on an exterior surface of a light-fixture housing at an opening into the housing;
- positioning over the support member a receptacle with slots for insertion of photocontrol conductors;
- securing the receptacle with respect to the support member such that the support member is between the receptacle and the light-fixture exterior surface about the opening;
- connecting the photocontrol to the receptacle by inserting the photocontrol conductors into the slots of the receptacle; and
- rotating the secured receptacle about the support structure for angular photocontrol adjustment on the light fixture.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the rotating step is after the connecting step.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein:
- the support member has a peripheral region beyond the opening; and
- the receptacle has (a) a body portion defining the slots and supporting electrical connections for the photocontrol and (b) an engagement portion extending from the body portion and rotatably engaging the support member, thereby holding the receptacle with respect to the light-fixture housing while permitting rotation of the receptacle with respect thereto.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein:
- the support member is a separate piece from the light-fixture housing; and
- the step of providing the support member includes the further step of fixedly attaching the support member to the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
22. The method of claim 21 comprising the further step of sealing the attachment between the support member and the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
23. The method of claim 18 wherein:
- the engagement and body portions of the receptacle are separate pieces; and
- the step of positioning the photocontrol receptacle over the support member includes the further step of joining the body portion with the engagement portion of the receptacle.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein:
- the support member is a separate piece from the light-fixture housing; and
- the step of providing the support member includes the further step of fixedly attaching the support member to the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
25. The method of claim 24 comprising the further step of sealing the attachment between the support member and the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 13, 2014
Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
Patent Publication Number: 20150260377
Assignee: Cree, Inc. (Durham, NC)
Inventor: Charles O. Hobson (Waterford, WI)
Primary Examiner: Jean F Duverne
Application Number: 14/209,390
International Classification: H01R 4/50 (20060101); F21V 23/04 (20060101); F21V 17/02 (20060101);